Mask Holder

ABSTRACT

The disclosed technology includes a face covering device including an elongated member having a first end and a second end and a first attachment device affixed to the first end and a second attachment device affixed to the second end. The first attachment device and the second attachment device can each be configured to removably couple to at least a portion of a face covering.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 63/052,541 filed Jul. 16, 2020, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates generally to a face covering deviceconfigured to retain a face covering (e.g., a mask), and moreparticularly to a face covering device that extends around a backportion of a user's head and/or neck to retain the face covering on theuser.

BACKGROUND

The use of face coverings has significantly increased due to thepublic's desire to prevent the spread of one's own germs and to preventcontact with others' germs, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19pandemic. A common way to the prevent the spread of germs and preventcontact with others' germs can be by using a face mask or covering.Often times, individuals may want to wear a face covering while in ahigh-risk atmosphere, including a public building or crowded area, butremove the face covering temporarily while in a low-risk atmosphere.However, when the user removes the face covering, the user may have tohold the face covering in his or her hands, thereby, causing aninconvenience for the user. Alternatively, the user may place the facecovering briefly on a counter or other exterior surface or within apurse, pocket or other storage compartment. When the user places theface covering down, there can be an increased chance the user may forgetto retrieve the face covering and/or germs from the counter or otherexterior surface may spread to the face covering. Additionally, when theface covering is stored away, an individual may not be able to readilyaccess the face covering.

SUMMARY

These and other problems can be addressed by the technologies describedherein. Examples of the present disclosure relate generally to a facecovering device for retaining a face covering over at least a portion ofa user's face or, alternatively, proximate to the user's torso such thatthe face covering is readily accessible.

The disclosed technology includes a face covering holding deviceincluding an elongated member having a first end and a second end and afirst attachment device affixed to the first end and a second attachmentdevice affixed to the second end. The first attachment device and thesecond attachment device each can be configured to removably couple toat least a portion of a face covering.

The elongated member can be a non-rigid member configured to form asubstantially arch shape.

The elongated member can be composed of one or more textiles.

The elongated member can be composed of rubber, synthetic rubber, or amixture thereof.

The elongated member can be at least partially coated with anantimicrobial composition.

The elongated member can be substantially cylindrical.

The first attachment device and the second attachment device can each bea hook, a clasp, a clip, a loop, or a tie.

The first attachment device can be configured to removably couple to afirst ear loop of the face covering and the second attachment device canbe configured to removable couple to a second ear loop of the facecovering.

One or more charms can be affixed to at least one of the firstattachment device and the second attachment device.

One or more charms can be affixed to a portion of the elongated member.

The disclosed technology can further include a face covering systemincluding a face covering having a first ear loop and a second ear loopand a face covering holder. The face covering holder can include anelongated member having a first end and a second end and a firstattachment device secured to the first end and a second attachmentdevice secured to the second end. The first attachment device can beremovably coupled to the first ear loop and the second attachment devicecan be removably coupled to the second ear loop.

The elongated member can be a non-rigid member configured to extendaround a back portion of a neck of a user.

The face covering holder can be configured to retain the face coveringat least partially over a mouth of a user.

The face covering holder can be configured to retain the face coveringproximate to a torso of a user.

The elongated member can have a predetermined length based at least inpart on a target position of the face covering with respect to a torsoof a user when the face covering is removed from being positioned over amouth of the user.

The target position of the face covering can be proximate to an upperportion of the torso of the user.

The elongated member can be at least partially coated with anantimicrobial composition.

A disinfectant material can be applied to at least a portion of theelongated member.

The disinfectant material can be applied to at least a portion of theelongated member when the face covering holder is configured to retainthe face covering proximate to a torso of a user.

The first attachment device and the second attachment device can each bea hook, a clasp, a loop, or a tie.

These and other aspects of the present disclosure are described in theDetailed Description below and the accompanying figures. Other aspectsand features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the following description ofspecific examples of the present disclosure in concert with the figures.While features of the present disclosure may be discussed relative tocertain examples and figures, all examples of the present disclosure caninclude one or more of the features discussed herein. Further, while oneor more examples may be discussed as having certain advantageousfeatures, one or more of such features may also be used with the variousother examples of the disclosure discussed herein. In similar fashion,while examples may be discussed below as devices, systems, or methods,it is to be understood that such examples can be implemented in variousdevices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Reference will now be made to the accompanying figures, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example face covering device.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example face covering system including the exampleface covering device of FIG. 1 removably coupled to a face covering.

FIG. 3A illustrates the example face covering system of FIG. 2 in whichthe example face covering device retains the face covering over a user'smouth and nose.

FIG. 3B illustrates the example face covering system of FIG. 2 in whichthe example face covering device retains the face covering proximate toa user's torso.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed technology includes a face covering device configured toretain a face covering. When the face covering is not positioned overthe user's face, the face covering device can suspend the face coveringproximate to the user's torso. Thus, even when the user is not wearingthe face covering over his face, the face covering remains readilyaccessible to the user. The face covering device can include anon-rigid, elongated member configured to extend around a back portionof the user's neck and/or head. Each end of the elongated member caninclude attachment devices that are configured to removably couple toear loops of the face covering.

The disclosed technology will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosed technology can,however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construedas limited to the examples set forth herein. The components describedhereinafter as making up various elements of the disclosed technologyare intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Such othercomponents not described herein may include, but are not limited to, forexample, components developed after development of the disclosedtechnology.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth.But it is to be understood that examples of the disclosed technology canbe practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known methods, structures, and techniques have not been shown indetail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,”“some embodiments,” “certain embodiments,” “various embodiments,” “oneexample,’ “an example,” “some examples,” “certain examples,” “variousexamples,” etc., indicate that the embodiment(s) and/or example(s) ofthe disclosed technology so described may include a particular feature,structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarilyincludes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further,repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment” or the like does notnecessarily refer to the same embodiment, example, or implementation,although it may.

Throughout the specification and the claims, the following terms take atleast the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. The term “or” is intended to mean aninclusive “or.” Further, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended tomean one or more unless specified otherwise or clear from the context tobe directed to a singular form.

Unless otherwise specified, the use of the ordinal adjectives “first,”“second,” “third,” etc., to describe a common object, merely indicatethat different instances of like objects are being referred to, and arenot intended to imply that the objects so described should be in a givensequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any othermanner.

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates an example facecovering device 100 including an elongated member 102 having a first end104 and a second end 106. A first attachment device 108 a can be securedto the first end 104 and a second attachment device 108 b can be securedto the second end 106.

The elongated member 102 can be a non-rigid member configured to bend,stretch, and/or conform to a substantially semi-circular or arch shape.The elongated member 102 can be configured to wrap around a back portionof a user's head and/or neck in a substantially semi-circular or archshape. The elongated member 102 can have any predetermined length. Forexample, the elongated member 102 can have a predetermined length thatallows the elongated member 102 to extend at least around the backportion of the user's head and/or neck.

The elongated member 102 can be composed of a variety of materials. Theelongated member 102 can be composed of materials that are comfortablefor a user. For example, the elongated member 102 can include one ormore textile materials (e.g., cotton, wax cotton, linen, and the like).Optionally, the elongated member 102 can include one or more syntheticfibers such as rayon, nylon, and polyesters. Optionally, the elongatedmember 102 can be composed of plastic, rubber, neoprene, cork, leather,or the like. Optionally, the elongated member 102 can be a lightweightchain comprised of a plurality of connected links. For example, theelongated member 102 can be a lightweight metal chain. Optionally, theelongated member 102 can be a chain threaded with a plurality of beads.

The elongated member 102 can be any color and/or pattern. The elongatedmember 102 can be a single color or a plurality of colors. Optionally, apattern can be printed onto the elongated member 102. Optionally, whenthe elongated member 102 is composed of a plurality of textile fibers ofa plurality of colors, such fibers can be weaved, braided, and/ortwisted to create a pattern. The addition of color and/or a pattern canallow the user to personalize the face covering device 100.

The elongated member 102 can a have a substantially cylindrical shape.Alternatively, the elongated member 102 can have a substantiallyflattened and/or planar shape (e.g., ribbon-like). When the elongatedmember 102 is composed of one or more textile materials, portions of thetextile materials (e.g., fibers, strings, yarns, and/or the like) can beweaved, braided, and/or twisted to form a substantially cylindricalshape or planar shape.

The elongated member 102 can have a substantially smooth exteriorsurface. Alternatively, the elongated member 102 can have a one or morerigids and/or surface features (e.g., protrusions, ribs, and the like).The one or more rigids and/or surface features can produce sufficientfriction to reduce movement and/or sliding of the elongated member 102when positioned around the back portion of the user's neck and/or head.

Optionally, the elongated member 102 can include a coating. The coatingcan include an antimicrobial composition. Such antimicrobial compositioncan protect the elongated member 102 from contamination of viruses,bacteria, or other unwanted contaminants. The coating can be applied tothe entire outer surface area of the elongated member 102.Alternatively, the coating can be applied to a portion of the outersurface area of the elongated member 102.

The attachment devices 108 a, 108 b can be secured to the first end 104and the second end 106, respectively, of the elongated member 102 viaadhesives, crimping, pinching, and/or any other suitable means. Theattachment device 108 a secured to the first end 104 of the elongatedmember 102 and the attachment device 108 b secured to the second end 106of the elongated member 102 can be the same or different. The attachmentdevices 108 a, 108 b can be a hook, fastener, loop, clasp, clip, tie, orthe like. The attachment devices 108 a, 108 b can be made of a varietyof different materials, including, but not limited to, metal, rubber,and/or plastic.

Optionally, one or more charms 110 can be removably coupled to one orboth attachment devices 108 a, 108 b. Alternatively or in addition to,one or more charms 110 can be removably coupled to the elongated member102. The charm(s) 110 can be customized by the user to providepersonalization of the face covering device 100. The charm(s) 110 can beany shape, color, or size. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the charm 110 canbe a diamond shape.

FIG. 2 illustrates a face covering system 200 including the facecovering device 100 and a face covering 202. The face covering 202 caninclude a portion configured to cover the mouth and, optionally, thenose of the user and ear loops 204. The ear loops 204 can be made ofelastic material configured to stretch around the ears of the user. Forexample, the face covering 202 can be a cloth face covering, a surgicalface covering, a respirator (e.g., N95, KN95, and the like), or adisposable face covering.

The first attachment device 108 a can be coupled (e.g., hooked, looped,clipped, tied, or the like) to one of the ear loops 204 and the secondattachment device 108 b can be coupled to the other ear loop 204 suchthat the face covering 202 is removably coupled to the face coveringdevice 100.

The attachment devices 108 a, 108 b can have a variety of opening andclosing features to facilitate quick and easy attachment to the earloops 204 of the face covering 202. Optionally, the opening and/orclosing features can be sized to at least partially enclose the ear loop204. Optionally, the opening and/or closing features can be sized toentirely enclose the ear loop 204. For example, the opening and/orclosing features can have a cross-section diameter that is greater thana cross-section diameter of the ear loop 204 such that the ear loops 204can extend through the opening and/or closing features of the attachmentdevices 108 a, 108 b.

The attachment devices 108 a, 108 b can allow the user to quickly andeasily couple the face covering 202 to the face covering device 100 whenthe user desires to use the face covering 202 (e.g., when the user isgoing into a public building, crowded area, or location where the facecovering 202 is required). Similarly, the user may readily uncouple theface covering 202 from the face covering device 100 when the user is notusing the face covering 202.

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of the user using the facecovering device 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 to retain the facecovering 202 over at least a portion of the user's face (e.g., over theuser's mouth and nose). In some environments, a user may be required towear a face covering over his mouth and, optionally, nose in order toreduce and/or prevent the spread of germs. Additionally, in someenvironments (e.g., a crowded space) a user may desire to wear a facecovering 202 to reduce and/or prevent the spread of germs. Asillustrated in FIG. 3A, the face covering 202 can be coupled to the facecovering device 100 via coupling the attachment devices 108 a, 108 b toeach ear loop 204. When the user positions the face covering 202 overhis mouth and, optionally, his nose, and secures the ear loops over hisears, the elongated member 102 of the face covering device 100 can wraparound the back portion of the user's neck and/or head. Optionally, atleast a portion of the elongated member 102 can rest on the back portionof the user's neck and/or head. Depending on the predetermined length ofthe elongated member 102, at least a portion of the elongated member 102can rest on the user's shoulders and/or upper portion of the user'sback.

FIG. 3B illustrates a front view of the user using the face coveringdevice 100 to retain the face covering 202 proximate to the user'storso. In some instances, the user may want to temporarily remove theface covering 202 from his face. The face covering device 100 can allowthe user to remove the face covering 202 from over his mouth and,optionally, nose and retain the face covering 202 proximate to theuser's torso. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the face covering device 100can suspend the face covering 202 such that the face covering 202 canrest on the user's torso. Accordingly, the face covering device 100 canreduce and/or eliminate the need for the user to place the face covering202 down on an exterior surface, hold the face covering 202 in his ownhands, or place the face covering 202 in a pocket, purse, or otherstorage compartment while also maintaining quick and convenient accessto the face covering 202 for when the user needs to reposition the facecovering 202 back over the user's face.

The elongated member 102 can have a predetermined length based on atarget position of the face covering 202 with respect to the user'storso. For example, the predetermined length of the elongated member 102can be based on a target position of the face covering 202 beingproximate to an upper portion of the user's torso (e.g., the user'supper chest). Alternatively, the predetermined length of the elongatedmember 102 can be based on a target position of the face covering 202being proximate to the user's waist. The predetermined length of theelongated member 102 can be based at least in part on the height of theuser and/or length of the user's torso. The predetermined length of theelongated member 102 can be smaller for children as compared to thelength of the elongated member 102 for adults.

Optionally, a disinfectant material can be applied to any portion of theface covering device 100 (e.g., the elongated member 102 and/or thefirst and second attachment devices 108 a, 108 b). The disinfectantmaterial can be applied after use of the face covering device 100 (e.g.,after the user is finished wearing the face covering 202 for the day orthe time-being). Alternatively, or in addition to, the disinfectantmaterial can be applied while the user is using the face covering device100. For example, the disinfectant material can be applied when the userhas removed the face covering 202 from over the user's mouth and,optionally, nose, and the face covering 202 is resting on the user'storso via the face covering device 100. The disinfectant material can beapplied via wiping, spraying, or other suitable means. Applying adisinfectant material can provide maximum usage of the face coveringdevice 100, as contamination from germs, bacteria, and/or viruses ismitigated.

The face covering device 100 can allow the user to easily andconveniently remove the face covering 202 from over his face (e.g., overhis mouth and, optionally, nose) when the face covering 202 is notneeded, desired, and/or required. Because the face covering device 100retains the face covering 202 proximate to the user's torso when theuser removes the face covering 202 from over face, the user can furthereasily and conveniently reposition the face covering 202 over his facewhen the face covering 202 becomes needed, desired, or required. Theface covering device 100 eliminates the need for the user to temporarilyset the face covering 202 down on an exterior surface, hold the facecovering 202 in his hands, or place the face covering 202 in a temporarystorage compartment, thereby reducing the likelihood of exposure togerms and providing a convenience to the user.

What is claimed is:
 1. A face covering device comprising: an elongatedmember having a first end and a second end; and a first attachmentdevice affixed to the first end and a second attachment device affixedto the second end, the first attachment device and the second attachmentdevice each configured to removably couple to at least a portion of aface covering.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongated member isa non-rigid member configured to form a substantially arch shape.
 3. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the elongated member is composed of one ormore textiles.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the elongated member iscomposed of rubber, synthetic rubber, or a mixture thereof.
 5. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the elongated member is at least partiallycoated with an antimicrobial composition.
 6. The device of claim 1,wherein the elongated member is substantially cylindrical.
 7. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the first attachment device and the secondattachment device are each a hook, a clasp, a clip, a loop, or a tie. 8.The device of claim 1, wherein the first attachment device is configuredto removably couple to a first ear loop of the face covering and thesecond attachment device is configured to removable couple to a secondear loop of the face covering.
 9. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising one or more charms affixed to at least one of the firstattachment device and the second attachment device.
 10. The device ofclaim 1, further comprising the face covering.
 11. A face coveringsystem comprising: a face covering including a first ear loop and asecond ear loop; and a face covering holder comprising: an elongatedmember having a first end and a second end; and a first attachmentdevice secured to the first end and a second attachment device securedto the second end, the first attachment device removably coupled to thefirst ear loop and the second attachment device removably coupled to thesecond ear loop.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the elongatedmember is a non-rigid member configured to extend around a back portionof a neck of a user.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the facecovering holder is configured to retain the face covering at leastpartially over a mouth of a user.
 14. The system of claim 11, whereinthe face covering holder is configured to retain the face coveringproximate to a torso of a user.
 15. The system of claim 11, theelongated member has a predetermined length based at least in part on atarget position of the face covering with respect to a torso of a userwhen the face covering is removed from being positioned over a mouth ofthe user.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the target position of theface covering is proximate to an upper portion of the torso of the user.17. The system of claim 11, wherein the elongated member is at leastpartially coated with an antimicrobial composition.
 18. The system ofclaim 11, wherein a disinfectant material is applied to at least aportion of the elongated member.
 19. The system of claim 11, wherein adisinfectant material is applied to at least a portion of the elongatedmember when the face covering holder is configured to retain the facecovering proximate to a torso of a user.
 20. The system of claim 11,wherein the first attachment device and the second attachment device areeach a hook, a clasp, clip, a loop, or a tie.